A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis

A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis explains the relationship between the similar, yet distinct, flood accounts found in the Gilgamesh Epic and the book of Genesis.

Significance of This Study

Written by Nozomi Osanai, A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis explains the relationship between the similar, yet distinct, flood accounts found in the Gilgamesh Epic and the book of Genesis. Why is this a concern? The author states:

It is indispensable for Christians to have faith in the authority of the Bible. Without trusting the Bible, no one can have confidence for one's salvation and sanctification. Needless to say, it is an important thing for a pastor to proclaim the trustworthiness of the whole Bible. Today, Christians who do not believe the Bible as the truth, or who cannot distinguish the true and false are increasing in number. Especially, Genesis is regarded as a mere myth by some Christians. However, if someone loses his faith in one part of the Bible, it will be difficult to believe other parts of the Bible. Therefore, it is important for the authority of the Bible to investigate the theory that the Flood account in Genesis was derived from the Gilgamesh Epic. Some Christians may weaken or lose their faith because of this theory. It is fatal for Christians to lose faith in the authority of the Bible. Thus, it is evident that there is need for examining the relationship between the flood accounts of the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis in order to distinguish the true and the false and to demonstrate that the Epic cannot be used to deny the authority of the Bible.

About the author

Nozomi Osanai earned her M.A. writing "A comparative study of the flood accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis" as her thesis while attending Wesley Biblical Seminary in the USA, where she also studied Akkadian. She has also studied at Japan College of Social Work, where she earned her Bachelor of Social Welfare, and Tokyo Biblical Seminary and Kobe Lutheran Theological Seminary where she earned her M.Div. She graciously agreed to allow us to publish this on the Answers in Genesis website as a study helpful for refuting the claim that Noah's Flood was derived from the Gilgamesh Epic.